Holiday Inn Blackpool – New Build 144-Bedroom Hotel
Project Overview Barlows was appointed to deliver the full MEP design and build for the brand-new Holiday Inn Blackpool (by IHG), a contemporary four-storey hotel forming a key part of Blackpool Council’s £350 million Talbot Gateway regeneration programme.
Working alongside main contractor Robertson Group, Barlows provided comprehensive mechanical, electrical, and public health installations for this flagship town-centre development on Talbot Road, adjacent to Blackpool North Station and the new tram interchange.
The hotel, which opened in May 2024, delivers modern, high-quality accommodation with 144 bedrooms, each featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, air conditioning, luxury Hypnos beds, powerful showers, 55″ Samsung TVs, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Key Features
- 144 contemporary guest bedrooms
- Branded Marco’s New York Italian restaurant (ground floor, operated by Marco Pierre White)
- Welcoming lobby and reception areas
- Business conferencing facilities
- Fitness centre
- External car park
- Starbucks coffee outlet and additional guest amenities
These elements combine to create a stylish, guest-focused hotel that supports Blackpool’s vibrant tourism, events, and business visitors, with easy walking access to the seafront, Pleasure Beach, and town centre attractions.
Delivery and Collaboration As a new-build project within a major urban regeneration scheme, the works required precise coordination to integrate efficient, reliable MEP systems tailored to hotel operations. This included HVAC for guest comfort and air quality, comprehensive electrical infrastructure for lighting/power/data, plumbing/hot water systems, fire safety, and energy-efficient solutions aligned with modern hospitality standards.
Barlows ensured seamless integration of services across all floors, public areas, back-of-house zones, and the external car park, delivering a high-performance building envelope ready for branded IHG operations.
Outcome The Holiday Inn Blackpool has been a resounding success since opening, quickly establishing itself as a top-performing property in the IHG portfolio (named number one Holiday Inn in the UK in early 2026 rankings). It contributes significantly to Talbot Gateway’s goals of enhancing town-centre vitality, creating jobs, and boosting the local economy.
This project exemplifies Barlows’ expertise in delivering full MEP packages for new-build hospitality developments, ensuring high guest satisfaction through reliable, modern systems in a high-traffic tourist destination.
Client: IHG / Blackpool Council (via Muse Developments) Main Contractor: Robertson Group Location: Talbot Road, Blackpool Town Centre Building Size: Four-storey, 144-bedroom hotel with restaurant and car park Completion: Opened May 2024, delivered on programme
